Thanks to Yun Huanling's clowning around, the awkward atmosphere had eased considerably, except for Lan Fang Ziyi, who still could not stop the veins in his temples from throbbing.
Of course, after listening to Su Jiu and Yun Huanling's conversation, the little ones nearby had more or less realized that Yun Huanling could actually see them.
The little ones who had been gathered around gambling instantly hid behind the trees again.
Hong Xiaoshan walked over to Yun Huanling, eyes full of wonder. "You can see us too?"
Yun Huanling's lips curved into a slightly wicked grin. "Never saw that coming, did you? I can hear everything you say."
Hong Xiaoshan's large eyes rolled around before it smiled sheepishly. "Um... sorry. They were being too naughty."
Yun Huanling bared a row of gleaming white teeth. "Don't worry. I'll remember the nickname you gave me for the rest of my life."
Finding Yun Huanling rather frightening, Hong Xiaoshan unconsciously edged behind Su Jiu and muttered softly, "Seventeen Rings... no, this friend of yours doesn't seem to like us much." It looked pitifully up at Su Jiu.
Yun Huanling froze, feeling that this routine was strangely familiar.
Before he could gather his wits, Hong Xiaoshan reminded him exactly where that sense of familiarity came from.
"Su Jiu, I really like you, but if your friend truly doesn't like me, I can leave."
When Yun Huanling looked at Hong Xiaoshan again, his gaze had changed. In his mind, Heavenly Cloud Mountain was separate from the Azure Realm, so the living beings here ought to have been utterly innocent.
But this little one in red clearly did not fall into that category.
Just listen to that aggrieved little voice, that expression of wanting to cry but having no tears. Anyone who didn't know better would